Coastal Permit Needed to Remove Fire Pits in San Diego!

The Union Tribune reports:

“We received in writing from the Coastal Commission staff that you need a coastal development permit,” said Stacey LoMedico, director of park and recreation. “We went back to the City Attorney’s Office and asked them to respond to it. We didn’t believe it. I don’t have a response yet.” -Union Tribune 12/3/09

Believe it! Protecting low cost public amenities is in the California Coastal Act, put there by the people of California to protect the beaches for traditional uses, not just expensive development.

Call the City Council and tell them to follow the law!

Fire pits to be removed in 2010 Update 11/26/09

Mayor Sanders has announced the "final elimination" of the fire pits in the proposed 2010-2011 budget.
Here are the links:
Union Tribune article

What can you do? Contact the City Council today!

Update 11/8/09

Union Tribune columnist Michael Stetz has posted an update on the City's fund raising efforts for the fire pits.
It looks like the city will have its way and the fire pits will be removed. Really pitiful, actually.

Fire Rings in Peril Again

Fire rings saved at Corona Del Mar in Newport Beach
See the article in Corona Del Mar Today

We can do this too. E-mails, phone calls, and a little help from the California Coastal Commission. Call the office of the mayor or your city council person today! Follow the links at www.savethefirepits.com

An anonymous donor has donated over $250,000 to the city to keep the fire pits on the beaches until June 2010. The city needs to find a solution by late 2009 or the fire pits will be on the chopping block again.

We have formed a group to try to save the free amenities of the San Diego shoreline. If you are interested, please check out www.savethefirepits.com

FIRE PITS SAVED!!! (But only for 2009)
A big thanks to an anonymous donor!
http://www.nbcsandiego.com/news/local/Thanks-Anonymous.html

Also a huge thanks to everybody who phoned and emailed the city and talked this up to the press!

We've all done it!

Several groups organized over the weekend to stop the removal of the fire pits while the city rushes to get them out.
We will have announcements shortly.

But for now...
The Mayor is holding a press conference today at 10:00 AM to discuss the fire rings.
If you haven't called the Mayor yet, do it now! (619) 236-6330

It's easy. Call (619) 236-6330 and politely tell the person who answers the phone: your name, your city/neighborhood, and that you want to save the fire pits!
You will likely be transferred to someone else to discuss it further, if you want.
The pits are used by people from throughout the city and the region. They make the beaches safer, containing hot coals that might otherwise be spilled on the sand.

City Fire Pit Fund

We have heard back from the city...and yes, they want $173,000 in contributions to save the fire rings. We'll be meeting with a couple community groups this weekend to discuss our options.

We are not giving up, but we are exploring our options.

If you are part of a community group interested in saving the fire rings, please send me an email at info@savethefirepits.com ASAP so that we can coordinate efforts. Individuals are certainly welcome too!

Thank you ALL for your comments here and on other web sites. We will try to get them in front of city representatives.